Trump slams Obama as 'lousy president' over White House-Cheesecake Factory jibe
Synopsis
Donald Trump turned a question about restaurant décor into a full-throated political attack — dismissing Barack Obama as 'not smart at all' and a 'lousy president' after Obama reportedly compared the renovated White House to a Cheesecake Factory. The exchange, days before the November midterms, signals a sharp personalisation of the midterm battleground.
Key Takeaways
President Donald Trump publicly rebuked Barack Obama on Monday , calling him 'not smart at all' and a 'lousy president.' The spat was triggered by Obama reportedly comparing the renovated White House to the Cheesecake Factory restaurant chain.
Trump claimed the White House is now in its best condition since 1792 , citing work done largely by the Department of the Interior .
Trump's renovation has faced criticism from Democrats and preservation groups over cost and transparency.
At the same appearance, Trump announced a $1 million reward for voter fraud tips leading to arrest and conviction.
Obama's office had not responded to Trump's remarks at the time of reporting.
President Donald Trump on Monday sharply rebuked former President Barack Obama after Obama reportedly compared the renovated White House to the Cheesecake Factory restaurant chain, calling his predecessor 'not smart at all' and a 'lousy president.' The remarks were made as Trump spoke to reporters before boarding Air Force One.
Trump Defends the White House Renovation
Responding to a question about Obama's jibe, Trump defended the restoration work, describing it as a significant improvement to a structure he said had fallen into disrepair. 'I've taken care of the White House. I fixed it with the finest artisans in the world. We have reskinned it. It was in horrible shape,' Trump said.
He pointed to specific structural issues, noting that ornaments on the building 'were missing or damaged or gone for a long time,' and that 'the exterior plaster was broken, cracked. The painting was terrible.' Trump claimed the White House is now 'in the best shape it's been since 1792, when it was built.'
The Attack on Obama
Trump quickly turned personal in his remarks. 'Guys like Obama, they would pass the front door. They'd see the broken masonry,' he said, before adding that Obama 'wouldn't notice because he doesn't notice that. He doesn't notice dirt and filth.'
He went further, questioning his predecessor's intellect and governance record. 'We have to explain that to Obama because he doesn't understand it, because he's not a smart guy. Let me tell you, in my opinion, he's not smart at all,' Trump said. 'Because the way he ran the country, only a stupid person would run the country like that.'
Trump concluded with a direct jab: 'And for you to say it's a Cheesecake Factory, that just shows why you were a lousy president.'
Context: Obama on the Campaign Trail
The confrontation comes as Obama has been actively campaigning for Democratic candidates ahead of the 3 November midterm elections. Trump's renovations of the White House have drawn criticism from Democrats and preservation groups, who have raised questions over cost and transparency in the overhaul. Obama's office did not immediately respond to Trump's remarks, according to reports.
Other Announcements at the Same Appearance
At the same media interaction, Trump announced a $1 million reward for anyone reporting voter fraud that leads to an arrest and conviction. He also commented on elections in Brazil and Israel. The renovation work was carried out by what Trump described as 'very talented people,' many from the Department of the Interior, at 'very little money spent,' he claimed.
Point of View
Culture-war flashpoint that crowds out substantive midterm policy debate. Notably, Trump's renovation programme has faced unanswered questions on cost and preservation compliance; by reframing it as an aesthetic and patriotic achievement, he sidesteps that accountability. Obama's decision to campaign aggressively for Democrats in the midterm stretch means these clashes will likely intensify, with each side using the other as a fundraising and mobilisation foil. The voter fraud reward announced at the same event deserves equal scrutiny — such mechanisms have historically produced few verified prosecutions while fuelling distrust in electoral institutions.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Trump call Obama a 'lousy president'?
Trump called Obama a 'lousy president' after Obama reportedly compared the renovated White House to the Cheesecake Factory restaurant chain. Trump took the remark as an attack on his stewardship of the building and responded by questioning Obama's intelligence and governance record.
What did Trump say about the White House renovation?
Trump said the White House had been restored by 'the finest artisans in the world' and claimed it is now in its best condition since 1792. He cited cracked exterior plaster, missing ornaments, and poor paintwork as problems he inherited, and said the work was done at 'very little money spent.'
Who carried out the White House renovation work?
According to Trump, the renovation was carried out by 'very talented people,' many of them from the Department of the Interior. He did not provide a detailed cost breakdown, and the project has faced criticism from Democrats and preservation groups over transparency.
What else did Trump announce at the same appearance?
Trump announced a $1 million reward for anyone reporting voter fraud that leads to an arrest and conviction. He also commented on elections in Brazil and Israel during the same interaction with reporters before boarding Air Force One.
Has Obama responded to Trump's remarks?
Obama's office had not immediately responded to Trump's remarks at the time of reporting. Obama has been campaigning for Democratic candidates ahead of the 3 November midterm elections, which is the broader backdrop to the public clash.
